Armed Subject Arrested After Running From Police (Press Release)

by Public Information Officer, Wednesday, February 20, 2013, 13:34 (2193 days ago)

ABILENE, TX – Tuesday afternoon on February 19, 2013, at about 3:18 pm, officers with the Abilene Police Department (APD) Patrol Division responded to an armed subject call involving two subjects who had met at the McDonald’s restaurant in the 3600 block of N. 1st Street. APD dispatch was notified by a male claiming another male had brandished a gun while the two met inside a vehicle parked at the restaurant. The victim indicated that the two had previously met but that the victim only knew the suspect by a nickname. The victim provided APD with the suspect’s description and his last known direction of travel.

Sergeant Aron Bryan was the first responding officer to spot the suspect who was seen running in the 3500 block of N. 10th Street. The suspect was seen jumping fences and other officers began to converge to the area. Shortly after the suspect was last seen in an alley, a single discharge of a firearm was heard by Sgt. Bryan and reported to responding officers. The suspect continued eluding police and was spotted running eastbound towards the 1000 block of N. Willis Street before a perimeter could be established. By this time, the suspect had removed an outer garment and was then spotted by responding officers running towards the 900 block of Westview Drive where the suspect was placed into custody without further incident. He was taken to the Law Enforcement Center for questioning.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division were summoned to assist. The preliminary investigation revealed that the involved parties had met to discuss the repair of a laptop computer and that the victim desired to meet with the suspect in a public location. Abandoned clothing belonging to the suspect was located, as well as a semi-automatic handgun. The handgun was located in the front lawn of a residence in the 3500 block of N. 10th Street. The suspect was identified as Kenneth R. Polk (DOB: 06/02/93). Mr. Polk claimed that the gun discharged when he threw the gun over a fence. The investigation revealed that Mr. Polk displayed the gun during his encounter with the victim. Mr. Polk claimed that he was meeting the victim over a drug deal. No loss was reported by the victim.

Mr. Polk was arrested for the offense of Aggravated Assault. A records check also confirmed that Mr. Polk had an outstanding municipal warrant and was also booked into Taylor County Jail for said warrant. This investigation continues and more information may be released as the investigation allows.